Chicago Family Staycation Ideas

Summer is the time when our kids get out of school, the weather is warm and people like to travel. The biggest problem with that is that is that travel can get expensive! You’re talking about hotels, plane tickets, gas money and more. Perhaps it’s time for a Staycation! Here are some Chicago Family Staycation ideas for you to help you enjoy your own city and do it on a budget:

Chicago Museums & Tours

• Visit five different Chicago museums with the CityPass
• Museum of Science & Industry free days
• Field Museum free days
• Shedd Aquarium free days
• Adler Planetarium free days
• Museum Of Contemporary Art free days
• Chicago Children’s Museum free days
• Art Institute of Chicago free days
• Chicago History Museum free days
• Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum free days
• DuSable Museum free days
• Elmhurst Historical Museum free admission
• Garfield Park Conservatory free admission
• Chicago Botanic Garden
• Red Oak Nature Center – free admission
• Frank Lloyd Wright Tours in Oak Park
• Watertower Place
• Chicago Gangster Tours

Chicago Kids Activities

• Museum Adventure Pass from Libraries
• DuPage Children’s Museum
• Kohl’s Children’s Museum
• Discovery Center Museum
• Lamb’s Farm
• Wagner Farm
• Fischer Farm – free admission
• Free Movies in the Park – Phillips Park
• Free Movies in the Park – Chicago

Downtown Chicago Activities

• Millenium Park – always free
• Friends of the Chicago River free days
• Willis Tower Skydeck (formerly the Sears Tower)
• John Hancock Observatory
• Chicago Symphony Orchestra
• Chicago Water Taxis
• Chicago Shakespeare Theater
• Navy Pier (activities and restaurants)

Chicago Zoos

• Phillips Park – free admission
• Cosley Zoo – free admission
• Lincoln Park Zoo – free admission
• Brookfield Zoo

Chicago Sports Activities

• Free White Sox Kids Club
• Kane County Cougars
• Schaumburg Flyers – Family Sundays
• Kids Bowl Free
• Aurora Skate Center
• Lombard Roller Rink
• Orbit Roller Rink
• McFetridge Sports Center – Ice Skating and Tennis
• Chicago Waveland Bowl
• Chicago Golf locations

Chicago Amusement and Water Parks

• Raging Waves
• Magic Waters
• Key Lime Cove
• Six Flags Great America
• Mystic Waters

Other Notable Chicago Activities

• Al Capone’s Grave (Mount Carmel Cemetery)
• Various Beaches
• Various Live Chicago Theaters
• Ravinia Outdoor Concerts
• Use Divvy Bikes while in the city!

This list is just a beginning for your Chicago Family Staycation ideas! Chicago is such a large city that I’m sure there are many more. Feel free to leave additional Chicago Family Staycation ideas in the comments and I’ll update the list!

Here are some other cities to check out:

A – D

Phoenix, Arizona — Saving For Someday
Fresno, California — Living A Frugal Life
Orange County, California — More With Less Today
San Diego, California — Southern Cali Saver
Denver, Colorado — Bargain Blessings
Washington, District of Columbia — Kidventurous

F – I

Disney World, Florida — The Happy Housewife
Jacksonville, Florida — Saving The Family Money
Orlando, Florida — Coupon Mamacita
St Augustine, Florida — Simply St. Augustine
Tallahasse, Florida — SwagGrabber
Tampa Bay, Florida — LaToyaEdwards.net
Atlanta, Georgia — Pretty Frugal Diva
Dahlonega, Georgia — Kathys Cluttered Mind
Savannah, Georgia — This Mommy Saves Money
Aurora/Chicago, Illinois — A Savings WOW!
Indianapolis, Indiana — Chaos Is Bliss

K – P

Lexington, Kentucky — Homeschool Village
Louisville, Kentucky — The Kennedy Adventures
Northern Kentucky, Kentucky — Simply Sherryl
Carroll County, Maryland — Looking at life CreativLEI
Boston, Massachusetts — Maven of Savin
Battle Creek, Michigan — Pichea Place
Grand Rapids, Michigan — Give Me Neither
Metro Detroit, Michigan — Saving Dollars and Sense
Kansas City Area, Missouri/Kansas — Redefined Mom
Omaha, Nebraska — Family Fun in Omaha
Central, New Jersey — Our Good Life
Cincinnati, Ohio — Adventure Mom
Cleveland, Ohio — Kosher on a Budget
Columbus, Ohio — Cleverly Simple
Dayton, Ohio — Savings Lifestyle
Mansfield & Richland County, Ohio — The Traveling Praters
Miami County, Ohio — Something 2 Offer
Northeast, Ohio — Sisters Shopping on a Shoestring
Portland, Oregon — Frugal Living NW
Harrisburg/Central, PA — Family Balance Sheet
Erie, Pennsylvania — Growing Kids Ministry
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania — Moms Need To Know
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania — The Coupon High

R – W

Arlington, Texas — Grocery Shop For FREE
Fort Worth, Texas — Coupons and Freebies Mom
Houston, Texas — Melissa’s Bargains
Katy, Texas — Moms Confession
San Antonio, Texas — How to Homeschool My Child
Tyler, Texas — iLoveMy5Kids
Charlottesville, Virgina — How to Have it All
Norfolk, Virgina — The Talking Suitcase
Richmond, Virgina — Vacation Maybe
Seattle, Washington — Thrifty NW Mom
Tacoma/South Puget Sound, Washington — Queen Bee Coupons
Oshkosh, Wisconsin — A Little Bit of This and That